Frederick County
230 West Patrick Street
PO Box 3826
Frederick, Maryland 21705

For Program and Referral information, contact: Tim Kenyon, CEP Coordinator
Phone: 301-662-0099, ext. 3503
Fax: 301-662-3972
Email: tkenyon@waystationinc.org

Howard County
9030 Route 108
Columbia, Maryland 21045

For Program and Referral information, contact: Maria Pierce, CEP Manager
Phone: 410-740-1901 ext. 7742
Fax: 410-740-8237
Email: mpierce@waystationinc.org

Washington County
25 East North Ave.
Hagerstown, Maryland 21740

For Program and Referral information, contact: Cathie Hardy, CEP Coordinator
Phone: 301-733-6063 ext.250
Fax: 301-733-6220
Email: chardy@waystationinc.org

Are you ready for employment?

Way Station's Community Employment Program is built on the core value that all persons have the right and ability to obtain paid community-based employment and has a long history of helping individuals with disabilities go to work.

• Individually tailored services to assist individuals in developing and realizing employment plans and objectives.
• Comprehensive assessment, training opportunities and necessary supports that enable individuals to enter or re-enter competitive, integrated work settings. 
• Choices and decisions about work and support are driven by the individual, and are based on the person’s preferences, strengths, and experiences.
• Hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, with evenings and weekends as needed.
• Individuals are assigned an Employment Specialist in the order in which referrals are received.
• If there is an expected delay, individuals will be notified of an approximate start date. 
• In the event of delayed start, individuals will be provided with suggestions and resources to assist with the job search in the interim.

Persons served by Way Station's Community Employment Programs achieve an average 65% employment rate.

The Community Employment Program enhances the quality of lives of the individuals it serves by:

• empowering people with disabilities to gain meaningful employment,
• promoting community integration,
• increasing independence and self-esteem through developing relationships in the community.

The following core principles underpin Way Station's Community Employment Program:

• The only prerequisite for participation in the Community Employment Program is the individual's desire to work
• The individual, his or her choices, needs, and goals are central to the process. Individuals served are encouraged to participate and take a leadership role in the process.
• Positive outcomes are achieved through a close relationship between the person served and the employment specialist. This relationship allows for the development of self-efficacy skills and the identification of appropriate support needs.
• Successful employment placements facilitate natural work relationships and supports.
• Services are person-centered and utilize, whenever possible, real work in community work settings to assess the individual's skill level or to provide skill-training activities.

The primary focus of Way Station's Community Employment programs is to provide job development, placement and support to promote successful community-based employment.

Job Development

Job development services are individually designed around the employment desires of the individual, the job seeking skills of the individual and the employment opportunities within the local community. Job Development Services utilize the Customized Employment Approach which focuses on negotiating employment positions that meet the needs of both the job seeker and the employer. The Employment Specialist assists the individual in identifying job tasks, job clusters and employment environments that meet the preferences and needs of the individual.

Job Coaching

Supported Employment Job Coaching services provide ongoing assistance and support to enable the worker to achieve and maintain competitive employment in a community-based work setting. Services provided are intended to be flexible in nature, decreasing as an individual masters skills and increasing as needed. Services are provided both on the job site and off the job site as determined by the needs and wishes of the individual and the assessment of the Employment Specialist.

Self Employment

The Community Employment Program partners with the client, his or her DORS counselor, and the RISE Program (Reaching Independence through Self Employment) representative to provide services to individuals who choose self employment as a vocational goal. Community Employment Program staff support the client through all aspects of the development, implementation, and operation of his or her own business.

Community Employment Program Expectations

Enrolling in the Community Employment Program is the equivalent of entering into a significant agreement. The anticipated outcome of this agreement is for the individual to be employed in a job of his or her choosing.

The success of the endeavor depends on the participation of the individual. He or she plays an important role in planning the services and will be asked to assist in the development of the plan by identifying and communicating the individual's strengths and goals, and to identify and communicate how Way Station can help the individual achieve these goals.

What an individual should expect from the Community Employment Program

• Staff will work with the individual to explore, identify, and find employment in the individual’s chosen field.
• Staff will schedule regular appointments at the location of the individual's choice.
• Staff will provide support, skill training, and appropriate accommodations as identified in the plan.
• Staff will talk to and support the individual in a professional and courteous manner.
• Staff will assist with skill development for employment retention, and/or advancement or growth in chosen field.
• Staff will assist the individual in understanding how work may impact benefits. 

What the Community Employment Program expects from the individual

• To actively participate in developing a plan for employment and work supports
• To communicate his or her wishes around disclosure, employment options and other related employment activities
• To keep scheduled appointments or call to cancel and reschedule if unable to attend a scheduled appointment
• To try his or her best. If a job placement is not working, the individual will leave the position in a planned way
• To honestly report employment to appropriate agencies.
• To be committed to consistent participation in services.
• To make own choices about life, activities, and services received.
• To agree to have all members of the support team (including the treatment provider) work together to provide effective services.  Expectations are that the employment specialist will meet with the support team on a monthly basis and with the treatment provider a minimum of once every six months. 

• are at least 16 years old,
• have a physical, psychiatric or developmental disability that contributes or results in substantial impediment to employment,
• have a goal of obtaining or maintaining employment.

Payment for Services –Individuals are expected to

• be willing to apply for service authorization for all programs for which he or she is eligible, 
• have third party authorization for services as appropriate, and / or
• accept responsibility for payment of services.

Services are usually paid for by:

• Maryland Division of Rehabilitation Services (DORS),
• Maryland Public Mental Health System, or
• Maryland Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA)

If an individual is not eligible for any of these programs, the individual will be responsible for payment.

Way Station, Inc. Community Employment Program is

• Accredited by The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF)
• Licensed by Maryland Mental Hygiene Administration (MHA)
• Accredited by Maryland Division of Rehabilitation Services (DORS)